Capital construction plan headed to governor’s desk

Friday

May 22, 2009 at 12:01 AMMay 22, 2009 at 10:00 PM

For the first time in 10 years, a capital construction program is sitting on the Illinois governor’s desk. The Illinois House on Thursday approved the $29 billion capital plan by a wide majority, but when Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law is still in question.

Eric Naing and Andrew Thomason

For the first time in 10 years, a capital construction program is sitting on the Illinois governor’s desk.

The Illinois House on Thursday approved the $29 billion capital plan by a wide majority, but when Gov. Pat Quinn will sign the bill into law is still in question.

“He doesn’t have to sign the capital bill,” said Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland. “He can hold it hostage, if you will, until he sees how the budget is dealt with.”

House Minority Leader Tom Cross said he would like to see Quinn put his stamp of approval on the measure as soon as possible.

“Clearly it’s best for the state in terms of putting people back to work ... (but) that’s going to be his call,” said Cross, R-Oswego.

Bob Reed, a spokesman for Quinn, would not comment on how Quinn will deal with the signing of a capital bill.

The last capital program, a $12 billion program called Illinois FIRST, was signed into law by former Gov. George Ryan in 1999.

The majority of the money for the new program would be coming from the legalization of video gambling; third-party management of the Illinois Lottery; allowing online sales of lottery tickets; raising taxes on candy, non-carbonated beverages, health and beauty aids, and alcohol; and increases in certain vehicle fees.

Roads will be the biggest beneficiary of the capital program, but schools and universities and public transportation will be getting a chunk of the money as well.

The plan was split into three measures: one raising money, one letting the state borrow money, and one spending the $29 billion. A few legislators, such as Rep. Keith Sommer and Rep. Jehan Gordan, D-Peoria, voted against raising new funds but still voted to spend them.

“We as a state have really overspent,” said Sommer, R-Morton. “We need to turn that attitude around and not tax the people to death with the massive federal obligations we’ve put on future generations and the tax increases are just inappropriate.”

Rep. Marlow Colvin voted for the capital program, but thinks the Legislature should have followed Quinn’s advice and addressed the state’s budget first.

“We’re talking about roads and bridges and not talking about sick people and kids who need decent schools and access to health care,” said Rep. Colvin, D-Chicago. “This is immoral and unconscionable.”

Other lawmakers share Colvin’s views.

Winters questioned whether some of the revenue streams for the capital program would have been better used to pay for the state’s day-to-day budget.

“Couldn’t we have scaled back capital a slight bit and instead funded local agencies on an ongoing basis?” he asked.

Rep. Mike Smith also thought spending massive amounts of money on construction while making deep cuts to the states budget looks bad.

“On the one hand, we’re spending money for a capital budget, albeit from different sources, and on the other hand we’re going to be making some pretty drastic cuts through the operating budget. That is problematic,” said Smith, a Canton Democrat.

With the capital plan finally off the agenda, the Legislature now must pass a budget before the May 31 deadline. Winters however, does not think this will be such an easy task.

“It is going to be an atrocious nightmare when we face the budget next week,” he said.

Eric Naing can be reached at eric.naing@sj-r.com. Andrew Thomason can be reached at andrew.Thomason@sj-r.com.

Proposals at a glance

Here is a look at the specific proposals the House approved Thursday to fund a statewide capital construction program:

Legalizing video poker in places like bars, truck stops and social clubs, to raise an estimated $375 million.

Handing over day-to-day management of the Illinois Lottery to a private firm and allowing the sale of lottery tickets online, to raise an estimated $150 million.

Increasing the tax on alcohol, to raise $114 million. The cost of a bottle of wine would go up by 13 cents, of a bottle of spirits by 80 cents and a six-pack of beer by 2.6 cents.

Extending the sales taxes to previously exempt items such as candy, non-carbonated beverages, and health and beauty products, to raise an additional $150 million.

Increase vehicle fees, to raise an estimated $331 million. The vehicle registration fee and the cost of a driver’s license will go up $20. Costs for titles and commercial licenses will each go up by $30.

Spending at a glance

Here are some highlights of the general spending categories included in the capital construction plan approved Thursday by the House, according to information provided by lawmakers:

$2.8 billion dollars in new road projects.

$1.5 billion for school construction.

$1.4 billion for universities and community colleges.

$150 million for AMTRAK.

$2 billion for public transportation: 10 percent for downstate, the rest to the Chicagoland area.